Update: Bayer Unit Sues Pfizer, BioNTech, Moderna for Technology Misuse in COVID-19 Vaccine Production

MT Newswires · 6d ago
12:39 AM EST, 01/07/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Bayer's (BAYN.F) Monsanto initiated legal action in the US against Pfizer (PFE.F), BioNTech (22UA.F) and Moderna (0QF.F) over the alleged misuse of the messenger ribonucleic acid technology in the production of COVID-19 vaccines, according to a Tuesday court filing. The German biopharmaceutical group's unit filed the patent infringement lawsuits with the Delaware federal court in the US, accusing the defendants of copying a technology it developed in the 1980s. The group is asking for an unspecified amount for damages. Bayer is lodging similar allegations against Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.F) in a separate lawsuit filed with the New Jersey federal court, according to a separate same-day filing. The company claims that the DNA-based process Johnson & Johnson used in the production of its shots overstepped its patent. Bayer confirmed to MT Newswires that it has never manufactured a COVID-19 vaccine and that the legal actions concern alleged infringement of its patented mRNA-stabilizing technology, originally developed for agricultural use. The company said the unlicensed use of its intellectual property helped address mRNA instability during vaccine development. Pfizer, BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna did not immediately respond to requests for comments from MT Newswires.